Afraid of the Snack Attack? Fear Not with These 5 Healthy Kid-Friendly Treats

With the school year now fully upon us, we are once again confronted with treats that can be easily packed in a lunchbox or grabbed by our kids when they get home from school. The potential for unhealthy eating is definitely there, but by filling your kitchen with healthy snacks, a quick treat can be something that positively impacts your child’s growing brain and body.

Do you need ideas for how to fuel the little people in your life? If so, I highly recommend preparing these 5 healthy – and delicious – kid-friendly snacks.

1. Freeze-dried produce

Let’s be honest. Raw fruits and vegetables can get boring. Freeze-dried produce is a lovely alternative that usually contains minimal sugar. So which items typically go over best? I have found that broccoli, beets, and kale are popular vegetables, while raspberries, blueberries, and bananas are favorite fruits.

2. Whole grain breakfast cereal

Whole grain cereals are great because they provide your kids with all types of complex carbohydrates that energize active muscles – including the brain! Be sure to select an iron-fortified cereal that contains 7 grams or less of sugar. Oh, and ignore anything that does not list whole grains as the first ingredient.

3. Whole grain muffins

One of my favorite family cooking activities is to make muffins from scratch. Doing this guarantees a whole grain, veggie-filled snack that you can keep for use throughout the week. The ingredient options are practically unlimited: sweet potatoes, zucchini, blueberries, and bananas are only some of the vegetables and fruits you can include in your muffins.

4. Whole grain waffles

Known mainly as a breakfast tradition, whole grain waffles can also function as a delicious snack on the go. Nab them from out of the freezer and drop them in the toaster. Next, smear them with any assortment of scrumptious blended toppings, including, but not limited to, peanut butter/banana and almond butter/blueberries. My mouth waters at the thought of these treats.

5. Nut butter

With options that include peanut, almond, and sunflower, nut butters are a great choice if you are looking for fats that are kid-friendly and good for them. How you use nut butter is entirely up to you. You can spread it on apple slices, blend it into a smoothie, or match it up with your favorite yogurt.